United View: False Hope At Old Trafford?

After the humbling Derby Day defeat to City, I really did not know what to expect going into Saturday’s clash with Spurs.

On one hand I saw this as the perfect opportunity to right the wrongs of the last match and pick up three points against another unpredictable side breathing right down our necks in the table. However, I was worried whether we would see a performance like the second half at the Etihad which was flat and lifeless. 

A defeat would have encouraged further criticism and questions of character ahead of a crucial second leg against Atlético Madrid, which as of the time of writing this, is yet to have kicked off. But thankfully, Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up big in a 3-2 win over Tottenham. Netting an impressive hat trick to keep Conte’s Spurs side hushed and make me feel like I was a kid again after putting his first strike into the top corner from long range. 

Tom Brady attended Old Trafford, only to announce 24 hours later that he would not be retiring from American football just yet. It feels fitting that a sporting great in his own right was able to witness and most likely be inspired by another sporting great. And no, I’m not talking about Fred. 

I see Fred being best utilised when he is pushed higher the pitch and allowed to press higher rather than being used as a defensive midfielder. Too his credit the Brazilian did showcase a good display against the North London side following his run around in the Derby against a midfield that was in all respect, streets ahead of ours in terms of quality. 

Our wingers were like night and day as Jadon Sancho continued to shine while Rashford gave another subdued performance. I’m really hoping that he can put his troubled form behind him and focus on doing the things that got him to where he is. 

Paul Pogba had an okay game and I like to think he has been binge watching Kojack in inspiration for his new clean-shaven haircut. In a recent interview, Juventus Captain Giorgio Chiellini said that Paul Pogba was “The Lebron James of football.” Which is funny because that is exactly how I would describe Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Though the display itself from the team was less than ideal, it’s important to recognise the importance of the result in the pursuit of Champions League football. Especially with Arsenal refusing to drop points and their players continuing to buy into Mikel Arteta’s footballing philosophy. 

Seeing another rival team begin to build a squad of talent and cohesion leaves me questioning what direction we will be heading towards in the summer. Although I think that Ralf is doing a good job in steadying a ship that has been close to capsizing, I believe his true work will begin with the appointment of the right man as manager and he steps into his consultancy role with inside knowledge of the squad. 

Whether that be Ten Hag, Pochettino or some other third candidate, the next manager of the club is going to be a part of a rebuild that could be the most important since the departure of the great Sir Alex. 

Sir Alex managed the side the day Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first senior hat trick in 2008 against Newcastle. A game I remember vividly watching on Setanta Sports at eight years old. 

Neither Sir Alex nor I would have anticipated that we would have to wait a further fourteen years to watch him score his second for the club. 

A real icon for not just United but also the Premier League who is now recognised as the all-time top scorer in the history of male football. The greatest of all time? I will just leave that up to yourself to decide.